Human Resources Committee on Feb. 3rd, 2022

[Matt Jeneroux, Conservative, Edmonton Riverbend, AB]

I'm sorry. Do you mind if I just get a clarification? It's more of a process-related question. Is there a subcommittee as part of this committee that meets to discuss the order of things? That's been successful in other committees I have been a part of. You and a member from each of the Liberal, Conservative, NDP and Bloc caucuses would all meet together to set that agenda item, which would then mean we don't necessarily have to include these as part of motions going forward.

It would just be a common understanding, but I guess just getting some clarification from you would help.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

I will ask the clerk to comment.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Ms. Danielle Widmer]

I'll just provide a quick comment. There is a subcommittee that has been adopted as per the routine motions. That was adopted on December 13. It is up to the chair and the committee in the future to organize a subcommittee meeting.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Thank you, Madame Ferrada.

We have Madame Chabot.

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

In the past, our committee has regularly called on the subcommittee to prioritize our topics, while always bringing them back to the committee, of course. I am not sure that the rule is set in stone, because it depends on how each committee operates. Whatever the case may be, I see no problem with prioritizing the study on the labour shortage and then beginning the study on housing. We can look at that question in the subcommittee or we can decide on it today. However, we must bear in mind that we have a lot of other motions to deal with. If we decide to set the priorities right away, we are not giving ourselves a lot of time. I hope that we will have the time to introduce other motions and put them in order, so that everyone's priorities are included.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Thank you, Madame Chabot.

Madame Ferrada, the amendment currently being debated would establish this as the second study.

[Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Liberal, Hochelaga, QC]

Yes, I understand.

My thanks to my colleague Mr. Jeneroux for asking the question. It somewhat clarifies the way the committee operates.

If there is unanimous consent, I will withdraw my amendment too. At that point, we will be able to discuss it. I am fine with that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Is there unanimous consent for Madame Ferrada to withdraw her amendment?

(Amendment withdrawn)

Seeing no further debate, we will have a recorded vote on the main motion of Mr. Collins.

(Motion agreed to: yeas 11; nays 0)

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

The motion is carried.

I now call on Mr. Jeneroux. You have the floor.

[Matt Jeneroux, Conservative, Edmonton Riverbend, AB]

Is this a new motion you're entertaining, Mr. Chair?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Yes. We've dealt with two motions currently.

You have the floor, Mr. Jeneroux.

[Matt Jeneroux, Conservative, Edmonton Riverbend, AB]

I will move the motion. I tried to make an amendment initially, but we'll move the motion as a separate motion.

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee invite the Minister for Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to update the committee on Canada’s housing crisis, including but not limited to the National Housing Strategy, the Rapid Housing Initiative, and the First-Time Home Buyers Incentive.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Thank you, Mr. Jeneroux.

You've all heard the motion.

Madame Chabot, you have the floor.

[Louise Chabot, Bloc, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

I wanted to introduce a motion. Should I wait or can I do it now?

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Thank you, Madame Chabot, but currently we have a motion moved by Mr. Jeneroux.

Madame Ferrada, you have the floor.

[Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Liberal, Hochelaga, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I just wanted to thank my colleague for introducing his motion. We will be supporting it, of course.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

I have Madam Zarrillo on the motion of Mr. Jeneroux.

[Bonita Zarrillo, NDP, Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC]

I just wanted to ask this, Mr. Jeneroux. I have a motion on indigenous housing, and I just wonder if there's way to fold this under when the minister comes, so we could also get an update on indigenous housing. I don't know if that could fit under here as a subamendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

That's just an amendment, Madam Zarrillo. If you want to make an amendment, you have the floor.

[Bonita Zarrillo, NDP, Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC]

I guess I'll suggest as an amendment, so that if it passes that the minister is to come, the minister and the Minister of Indigenous Services can update this committee on the progress on the strategy for indigenous housing that the government committed to in 2017. That's it. I don't have to do the hour-long thing, but it's if they could come and speak to it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

We have Mr. Jeneroux and then Madame Ferrada.

Mr. Jeneroux, do you have your hand up?

[Matt Jeneroux, Conservative, Edmonton Riverbend, AB]

Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Ms. Zarrillo.

I think that's great. I was reading that one, and I thought that was great as a stand-alone one. I also think you can fit it in already under where we said “including but not limited to”, but I guess, if it's the will of the committee to amend this, it's probably more worthwhile than being its own stand-alone one.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Thank you, Mr. Jeneroux.

I have Madame Ferrada on the amendment of Madam Zarrillo, and then I'll go to Madame Chabot.

[Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Liberal, Hochelaga, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Actually, I was going to say the same thing: it's included in the wording of the motion. So we can do it, especially since the minister is going to be here to talk about his mandate letter. It's included in his mandate letter and so he will be able to report on it to the committee when he appears.

I would propose that my colleague perhaps wait until the minister appears here and reports to the committee on his mandate letter. If she then wants to debate this motion, I will be the first to support her.

I would invite my colleague to withdraw her amendment, if she is willing, so that we can limit the topics somewhat. This will give her the opportunity to question the minister when he is here at the committee.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bobby Morrissey]

Thank you, Madame Ferrada.

We have Madame Chabot and then Mr. Ruff on the amendment of Madam Zarrillo.